Bryant, Jackson Warn Against Overreliance

Kobe Bryant became the sixth player in league history with three consecutive games of at least 45 points, but Bryant and Coach Phil Jackson both called it a temporary trend.

Bryant, the first player with such a streak since Michael Jordan did it toward the end of the 1989-90 season, said it would not be an every-game phenomenon, or even an every-other-game occurrence.

“We know we’re going to have [other] players step up and make big contributions,” he said. “We’re not going to think about this being a long-haul thing. We’re going to take it game by game.”

Bryant had 50 points Saturday against the Clippers, 48 on Friday against Philadelphia and 45 points Dec. 28 against Memphis before being suspended for two games because of a flagrant foul.

Jackson, whose triangle offense is predicated on team play, also indicated the extreme reliance on Bryant would not be long-term.

“But it certainly gives us a boost at a time when we need it,” he said.

*

Lost amid Bryant’s 40-point second half Saturday was the quiet efficiency of Brian Cook.

The Laker forward made six of nine shots and had 16 points in 19 minutes against the Clippers.

“We’re getting immune to [Bryant’s] heroics at times, [but] Cookie was the guy that really stepped in and made some really big shots that we didn’t expect,” Jackson said.

Said Cook: “It’s hard to guard that pick-and-pop [play] with Kobe coming off of it. He’s such a good shooter, and I can hit open shots also, so I’m just trying to do my job out there.”

*

Bryant acknowledged being motivated by pregame Clipper-Laker hype, but Lamar Odom continued to downplay the rivalry.

“It’s not about that,” said Odom, a former Clipper who has recently grown tired of Clipper-Laker questions. “It’s not about the Clipper-Laker series and things like that. We beat a team in our conference that was a couple of games up [on us]. So we got back one game.”

The Lakers trail the Clippers by one game in the Pacific Division.

*

Bryant, on late-game dialogue he had Saturday with Jackson: “He asked me if I needed a breather [on one play]. I said, ‘Coach, I’ve been shooting all jump shots tonight, I’m not even tired.’ ” ... Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak is expected to go to Yakima, Wash., on Tuesday to watch Ronny Turiaf play in what could be the Laker draft pick’s final CBA game. Turiaf will accept a contract offer from a pro team in Spain if the Lakers have not signed him by Wednesday, according to his agent.

*

TONIGHT

vs. Indiana, 7:30, FSN West

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 570, 1330.

Records -- Lakers 17-16, Pacers 18-13.

Record vs. Pacers (2004-05) -- 1-1.

Update -- The Pacers are 6-6 since Ron Artest publicly demanded a trade. Pacer All-Star forward Jermaine O’Neal returned and had 12 points and eight rebounds Sunday at Sacramento after missing three games because of pneumonia.

Tickets -- (800) 462-2849 or ticketmaster.com.